12.05.05
Posted in life at 2:53 pm by
I noticed this thread a few days ago (because someone linked here from there) on the Relevant discussion boards. It turns out someone read a post I made about Relevant and in response, seemed to be reconciliatory.
This person’s demeanor seemed nice, I thought.
And, although I haven’t really the time nor the desire to keep up with a message board community any longer, I was prepared to let the water go under the proverbial bridge and move on. In fact, I have moved on, and I enjoy blogging much more than I ever enjoyed being a part of any message board community.
But, like things often do on message boards, things got mean. I’m okay with mean, though. I can be mean sometimes. My problem tends to come in when people start telling lies. And, even then I’m not likely to get too wound up about things–until there are lies about me and my behavior. Such lies are commonly referred to–in the writing/journalism community–as libel.
If you’re looking for examples of libel (written lies that defame my character) here’s a wonderful example:
Erick from Relevant (former site admin) in reference to what I did to warrant my lifetime ban from the boards:
verbally abusing the community at large for about a year certainly helps…
Now, I really don’t care much about pursuing legal measures over this trivial matter. Frankly, what one dude (and particularly this dude) thinks isn’t going to have a lasting negative impact on my life. But, in an effort to steer straight any of the folks who happen this way from Relevant today, I think it’s only fair to clear a few things up.
- I don’t think that all of the leadership of the boards were Republican conservatives. However, they did cultivate a culture where it was acceptable to be a Republican conservative loudly, while it was not okay to be a liberal. (But, I suppose what else would we expect from a Christian community.)
- I didn’t verbally abuse the community at large for a year, though there were a number of times that I was verbally abused and treated unfairly.
- I WAS a hothead from time to time.
- Largely, when I was a hothead it came as a response to being mistreated by people. Often, the people in power.
You know, I could rant on, but I don’t really think I need to. Those of you who come to this place know me, and that’s what’s important. The true colors about the Relevant boards and some of the people who frequent there have come through.
All that to say this, a note to my friends: Thanks for coming here, and reading, and taking the time to look past the labels and know me and for letting all of us (as a community) to know eachother. I’m particularly thankful that each of you has taken the time to contribute to this place, and that you’ve become my online friends. More than just being a collection of individuals–we’re something more than just the sum of our parts.
And, I attribute that to the crazy math of the Kingdom of God.
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Posted in life at 2:53 pm by
I noticed this thread a few days ago (because someone linked here from there) on the Relevant discussion boards. It turns out someone read a post I made about Relevant and in response, seemed to be reconciliatory.
This person’s demeanor seemed nice, I thought.
And, although I haven’t really the time nor the desire to keep up with a message board community any longer, I was prepared to let the water go under the proverbial bridge and move on. In fact, I have moved on, and I enjoy blogging much more than I ever enjoyed being a part of any message board community.
But, like things often do on message boards, things got mean. I’m okay with mean, though. I can be mean sometimes. My problem tends to come in when people start telling lies. And, even then I’m not likely to get too wound up about things–until there are lies about me and my behavior. Such lies are commonly referred to–in the writing/journalism community–as libel.
If you’re looking for examples of libel (written lies that defame my character) here’s a wonderful example:
Erick from Relevant (former site admin) in reference to what I did to warrant my lifetime ban from the boards:
verbally abusing the community at large for about a year certainly helps…
Now, I really don’t care much about pursuing legal measures over this trivial matter. Frankly, what one dude (and particularly this dude) thinks isn’t going to have a lasting negative impact on my life. But, in an effort to steer straight any of the folks who happen this way from Relevant today, I think it’s only fair to clear a few things up.
- I don’t think that all of the leadership of the boards were Republican conservatives. However, they did cultivate a culture where it was acceptable to be a Republican conservative loudly, while it was not okay to be a liberal. (But, I suppose what else would we expect from a Christian community.)
- I didn’t verbally abuse the community at large for a year, though there were a number of times that I was verbally abused and treated unfairly.
- I WAS a hothead from time to time.
- Largely, when I was a hothead it came as a response to being mistreated by people. Often, the people in power.
You know, I could rant on, but I don’t really think I need to. Those of you who come to this place know me, and that’s what’s important. The true colors about the Relevant boards and some of the people who frequent there have come through.
All that to say this, a note to my friends: Thanks for coming here, and reading, and taking the time to look past the labels and know me and for letting all of us (as a community) to know eachother. I’m particularly thankful that each of you has taken the time to contribute to this place, and that you’ve become my online friends. More than just being a collection of individuals–we’re something more than just the sum of our parts.
And, I attribute that to the crazy math of the Kingdom of God.
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Kevin said,
December 5, 2005 at 5:07 pm
Yeah, I’ve gotta say that the Relevant crew isn’t necessarily big on the truth, at least from what I’ve experienced. More than once I’ve emailed an editor to point out that one of the slices on their web site isn’t true, but they didn’t feel compelled to change them. Seems to be par for the course in modern Christendom.
Brandon said,
December 5, 2005 at 5:10 pm
While I’m reticent to connect the Relevant Magazine crew to a few of the yahoos that run their message boards, I must say that I think you have something of substance there, Kevin.
jeff said,
December 5, 2005 at 6:04 pm
Kick his ass, Seabass!!
Erick said,
December 5, 2005 at 6:13 pm
c’mon brandon - if you’re going to start talking about truth then start with yourself.
you were verbally abusive to people. you said more than your share of hateful and demeaning things. you even went beyond the relevant boards and went out of your way to call me profane names elsewhere.
i think you’re a funny and smart guy - but take some responsibility for your actions. your whole post that inspired this thread was filled with personal slams, especially the inferrance that i was “one-sided, arrogant, and totalitarian.” (really want to bring up libel?)
i don’t want to get in a pissing contest here - but do you see the hypocrisy in your entries?
that said, i don’t expect us to become best friends. but i’ll delete my post in the relevant thread because it hurt you - and that’s not acceptable in any way.
take care and god bless.
erick
Konayahweh said,
December 7, 2005 at 11:50 am
Hope I didn’t cause any problems or rehash old wounds…but I would be remiss to say that things like this show how small and petty we really are sometimes. I am not saying that you are completely wrong, but neither am I saying you are completely right. Relevant is not perfect, and if you are looking for perfection - that’s not going to happen. Individuals posters do not represent the whole community, and we must give people grace - especially since you are not innocent either with giving the internet community your opinion of relevant magazine and the boards here on your blog. I remember you posting there, and I think we got into some heated conversations - as I would probably be labeled as a “conservative republican”. I sometimes am a trouble maker on the relevant boards as well, but when a moderator needs to get onto me, I try to evaluate if my bahavior needs to change. Mostly, I find I do need to make changes.
Perhaps instead of getting defensive, writing generalizations about the relevant community, we could come together and offer forgiveness to each other. If you think the relevant boards are full of conservative republicans (which isn’t the case - believe me - it’s probably fairly even), then come in with a new perspective IN LOVE and help us gain understanding.
We are people, people who sin. Instead of dragging a whole website through the mud, offer grace, reconciliation, and redemption. You may have been wronged by individuals - you may have been burned - but we should all be used to that by now. We are humans on earth and we are bound by our nature to screw each other over - we have to fight against that.
Know that we love you and we can help each other out through reconcilation and redemption found in Jesus Christ…